President Rodrigo Duterte has surpassed the record set by his idol, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, when it comes the number of extrajudicial killings (EJKs), according to the United States-based think tank East West Center.

The article, posted Friday (March 2), quoted human rights advocates as saying that more than 12,000 have died as a result of the EJKs conducted in relation to Duterte’s war on drugs.

By comparison, the study said that only 3,257 incidents of EJKs have been recorded under the 10-year Marcos regime.

Despite the President’s use of force in going after drug traders and users, the East West Center noted: Yet, there is no clear evidence that drug trafficking under Duterte has declined.”

Duterte has defended the killing of drug suspects, saying policemen were only forced to shoot them when they fight back. He also vowed to protect cops should they face legal action over their anti-drug operations.

Almost two years after Duterte assumed office, the East West Center also raised doubts on whether the President can fulfill his promise of improving the peace and order situation in the country.

“It is questionable, however, how effective a national leader Duterte has been in almost two years in office,” it said.

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